Variation of Codes – Know your codes and local rules – Stairs
Many of us as home inspectors know building codes, whether you actually know you know building codes or not. Almost all of the home inspection courses and instruction that I have seen will have code information in them. Many times they may be the most common practices, but much of the information in them will come from building codes and industry standards. There is just no way around them (codes), they are the rules.
I hear from so many home inspectors that we are not code inspectors and my response is, we are not code enforcement but we all should be basing our observations on what ever your local codes are, to the best of your ability. So the better you understand the codes and best practices the better your assessment can be.
Now the funny thing with codes is they get modified in typically 3 year intervals. So the codes will change over time and knowing those changes becomes somewhat of a challenge and I find it fun to see what and when the changes occur. Most of the changes will be based on safety, new technologies and building materials that have to be addressed. There are many background industry standards and tests that must be met for a product or material is actually allowed for use in construction. I think I will save that discussion for another blog.
So on to the topic at hand codes and there local variations. As a home inspector I actually own many code books either in book form or electronically. I have collected most of all the electrical codes back to the 1920’s. I have many of the building codes back to the 1990’s and spattering of older ones. So when I am curious about a change I can got back and see when a specific change may have occurred. 
I also watch videos and read online information on codes and building practices to help keep my head in the game on all the information that I try to keep compiled in my tiny brain. Here comes the main reason for this post. Often I will see a video or some online information that I see that I find may not be completely accurate or just wrong….. BUT!
You must be careful there are no local amendments or variances that may make what is being stated correct for their specific locale.
So here is a video I found that was actually pretty good on stair building. But as the video host starts reciting the codes I was going whoa… that is not correct per the IRC/ICC. Well turns out this building is in North Carolina and they have a variance in the code that makes what he is stating correct. Most who have a standard un-amended IRC code this information would be incorrect.
I am going to use the 2015 IRC to show some of the differences from North Carolina to Washington State. What was stated in the video would not be correct for Washington State and any state that adopts the 2015 IRC that has not amended this particular section.
NOTE: Washington State is now on the 2018 IRC this is for demonstration only.
North Carolina 2015 IRC Washington State 2015 IRC
As you can see here we have the same code section yet we have two standards so both answers can be correct or incorrect depending and where you are and what you local amendments are adopted.
Here are some links to codes from the ICC-
https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/washington
https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/north-carolina
Link from My Building Permit –
https://mybuildingpermit.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/2015%20Tip%20Sheet%201%20Basic%20Stairs.pdf
So this is great example of becoming aware of what is required in you local area of inspections. We all need to keep learning and we all are limited by what we do not know. We all have a chance to be wrong and mistakes often can be your greatest lesson and chance for learning.
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on my website Blog.
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on my website Blog.
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